Climbing system for multi-level building construction

ABSTRACT

A climbing system for multi-level building construction includes (a) a plurality of vertical guides mountable to a building structure under construction; (b) a climbing unit coupled to the vertical guides for guided vertical translation of the climbing unit along an exterior of the building structure and; (c) one or more horizontal guides mounted to the climbing unit; and (d) an extendible platform supported by the horizontal guides for guided translation of the extendible platform along a horizontal axis extending generally perpendicular to the building structure. The extendible platform is translatable along the horizontal axis between a retracted position, in which the extendible platform is generally retracted into the climbing unit and clear of the building structure to permit interference-free vertical translation of the climbing unit, and an advanced position, in which the extendible platform projects horizontally from the climbing unit to the building structure for covering a gap therebetween.

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/202,807, filed Jun. 25, 2021, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The specification relates generally to building construction, and more specifically, to climbing systems for construction of multi-level buildings.

BACKGROUND

U.S. Pat. No. 8,673,189 (Schwoerer) discloses a method proposed for constructing multi-story concrete structures using a rail-guided self-climbing formwork system. A climbing rail is displaced in a vertical direction within lower and upper climbing shoes and a lower extension piece is positioned to extend vertically in a downward direction below a lower end of the climbing rail. The lower extension piece has a length which is less than the length of the climbing rail. The climbing rail is then displaced in the vertical direction until the lower extension piece is captured within the lower climbing shoe.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,708,100 (Schwoerer) discloses a rail-guided climbing system having climbing brackets in which climbing rails are guided, rigidly fixed to a scaffolding unit. Each climbing bracket has a joint arranged between a first climbing bracket and a second climbing bracket. The free end of the climbing rail may be inserted into a climbing bracket rigidly fixed on the construction and the angular position of adjacent climbing rail sections is adjusted via the joint using an adjuster device.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,633,874 (Panseri et al.) discloses climbing equipment for the construction of a building, including a scaffold that at least partially surrounds the perimeter of a building floor and is provided with a walkable surface. The climbing equipment includes a traction device comprising a first portion integral with the scaffold, and a second portion connected to the first portion. The first portion includes a first coupling element adapted to grip a first coupling portion of the building, and the second portion includes a second coupling element, arranged at a different level than the first coupling element, and adapted to grip a second coupling portion of the building. The climbing equipment further comprises a moving system. When the first coupling element is released from the respective coupling portion, the moving system performs a relative movement between the first portion and said second portion of the traction device, so as to move the scaffold by a predetermined amount.

SUMMARY

The following summary is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the applicant's teaching, but not to define any invention.

According to some aspects, a climbing system for multi-level building construction includes: (a) a plurality of vertical guides mountable to a multi-level building structure under construction; (b) a climbing unit coupled to the vertical guides for guided vertical translation of the climbing unit along an exterior of the building structure; (c) one or more horizontal guides mounted to the climbing unit; and (d) an extendible platform supported by the horizontal guides for guided translation of the extendible platform along a horizontal axis extending generally perpendicular to the building structure. The extendible platform is translatable along the horizontal axis between a retracted position, in which the extendible platform is generally retracted into the climbing unit and clear of the building structure to permit interference-free vertical translation of the climbing unit, and an advanced position, in which the extendible platform projects horizontally from the climbing unit to the building structure for covering a gap therebetween.

In some examples, the one or more horizontal guides define a horizontal track and the extendible platform includes a plurality of rollers for rolling engagement with the track to roll the extendible platform between the retracted and advanced positions.

In some examples, the track comprises a pair of laterally spaced apart rails extending along the horizontal axis.

In some examples, the plurality of rollers includes a pair of front rollers positioned toward the building structure and a pair of rear rollers spaced apart from the front rollers away from the building structure.

In some examples, when the extendible platform is in the retracted position, the front and rear rollers are in rolling engagement with the track, and when the extendible platform is in the advanced position, the front rollers are advanced off the track while the rear rollers remain in rolling engagement with the track.

In some examples, the climbing unit includes a pair of vertical climbing rails coupled to the vertical guides for guiding vertical translation, the climbing rails spaced laterally apart by a rail spacing, and wherein at least a front portion of the extendible platform passes through the rail spacing when the extendible platform is translated between the retracted and advanced positions.

In some examples, the front portion has a first work surface portion and one or more second work surface portions moveable relative to the first work surface portion between a withdrawn position, in which the front portion has a withdrawn width that is less than the rail spacing for permitting translation of the front portion through the rail spacing, and an extended position, in which the front portion has an extended width greater than the rail spacing for increasing an effective work area of the extendible platform in the advanced position.

In some examples, when in the withdrawn position, the one or more second work surface portions are laterally withdrawn relative to the first work surface portion, and when in the extended position, the one or more second work surface portions extend laterally from the first work surface portion.

In some examples, when the one or more second work surface portions are in in the withdrawn position, the first and second work surface portions overlap horizontally, and when the one or more second work surface portions are in the extended position, the first and second work surface portions are spaced laterally apart and at a generally common elevation.

In some examples, the one or more second work surface portions are pivotably attached to the extendible platform for pivoting relative to the first work surface portion between the withdrawn and extended positions.

In some examples, the extendible platform has a rear portion rearward of the front portion, the rear portion having a rear portion width greater than the rail spacing. In some examples, when the extendible platform is in the advanced position, the front portion extends between and forward of the climbing rails and the rear portion remains generally rearward of the climbing rails.

In some examples, when the extendible platform is in the advanced position and the one or more second work surface portions are in the extended position, the climbing rails pass through horizontal openings in the extendible platform between the second work surface portion and the rear portion.

In some examples, the one or more second work surface portions comprise a pair of laterally spaced apart panels pivotably attached on laterally opposite sides of the first work surface portion, the panels pivotable relative to the first working surface portion about corresponding pivot axes extending parallel with the horizontal axis for movement between the withdrawn and extended positions.

In some examples, when in the withdrawn position, the panels are inboard of the climbing rails, and when in the extended position, the panels extend laterally outward from the first work surface and in front of the climbing rails.

In some examples, when the extendible platform is in the advanced position and the second work surface portions are in the extended position, the panels are translatable along corresponding pivot axes relative to the first work surface portion between a forward position, in which the panels are clear of the climbing rails for movement between the withdrawn and extended positions, and a rearward position in which laterally outer portions of the panels extend along laterally outboard sides of the climbing rails toward the rear portion to provide a work surface generally surrounding the climbing rails.

In some examples, each panel is pivotably coupled to the first work surface portion through at least one hinge, each hinge having a hinge first portion fixed relative to the first work surface and a hinge second portion fixed relative to a corresponding panel, the hinge second portion pivotable about and translatable along a corresponding pivot axis relative to the hinge first position.

In some examples, the climbing unit comprises a plurality of climbing rails coupled to the vertical guides, and at least one climbing platform supported by the climbing rails, and wherein the horizontal guides and the extendible platform are supported by climbing platform.

In some examples, the climbing platform has a plurality of horizontal beams and a climbing unit worksurface supported by the beams, and wherein the horizontal guides are supported by the beams at an elevation below the climbing unit worksurface and the extendible platform has an extendible platform worksurface at an elevation above the climbing unit worksurface.

In some examples, the climbing unit worksurface has one or more horizontal slots extending along the horizontal axis in alignment with corresponding horizontal guides, and the extendible platform has roller assemblies extending downwardly from under the extendible platform worksurface and through the slots for rolling engagement with the horizontal guides.

In some examples, the climbing unit comprises a plurality of climbing rails coupled to the vertical guides and a plurality of climbing platforms supported by the climbing rails, the plurality of climbing platforms including a top climbing platform and at least one lower climbing platform below the top climbing platform, and wherein the horizontal guides and the extendible platform are supported by the lower climbing platform.

In some examples, the climbing system includes a locking mechanism operable to releasably lock the extendible platform relative to the horizontal guides in the advanced position and in the retracted position.

According to some aspects, a climbing system for multi-level building construction includes: (a) a plurality of vertical guides mountable to a multi-level building structure under construction; (b) a climbing unit connectable to the vertical guides for guided vertical translation of the climbing unit; (c) one or more horizontal guides mountable to the climbing unit; and (d) an extendible platform horizontally translatable along the horizontal guides between a retracted position, in which the extendible platform is generally retracted into the climbing unit for being clear of the building structure, and an advanced position in which the extendible platform projects horizontally from the climbing unit for extension to the building structure.

According to some aspects, a climbing system for multi-level building construction includes: (a) a plurality of vertical guides mountable to a multi-level building structure under construction; (b) a climbing unit connectable to the vertical guides for guided vertical translation of the climbing unit; and (c) an extendible platform system supported by the climbing unit and operable to move a platform of the platform system between a retracted position, in which the platform is generally retracted relative to the climbing unit clear of the building structure, and an advanced position in which the platform extends from the climbing unit to the building structure.

According to some aspects, a method of operating a climbing system mounted to a multi-level building structure under construction includes: (a) vertically translating a climbing unit of the climbing system along an exterior of the building structure to move an extendible platform supported by the climbing unit into vertical alignment with a first slab of the building structure; and (b) after (a), horizontally translating the extendible platform along horizontal guides supported by the climbing unit from a retracted position, in which the extendible platform is clear of the building structure, to an advanced position, in which the platform extends from the climbing unit to the first slab for covering a gap therebetween.

In some examples, the method further includes, after (b), supporting shoring elements atop the extendible platform in the advanced position.

In some examples, the method further includes horizontally translating the extendible platform along the horizontal guides back to the retracted position and repeating steps (a) and (b) for a second slab at an elevation above the first slab.

In some examples, during (b), at least a front portion of the extendible platform is translated through a lateral rail spacing between a pair of laterally spaced apart vertical climbing rails of the climbing unit, the climbing rails coupled to corresponding vertical guides mounted to the building structure for guiding vertical translation of the climbing unit.

In some examples, the method further includes, when the extendible platform is in the advanced position, extending a pair of movable panels of the extendible platform laterally outwardly in front of the climbing rails to increase an effective work area of the extendible platform.

In some examples, the method further includes, after the panels are extended, translating the panels in a rearward direction toward the climbing rails to position laterally outer portions of the panels along laterally outboard sides of the climbing rails.

In some examples, the method further includes, after translating the panels in the rearward direction, translating the panels in a forward direction clear of the climbing rails, withdrawing the panels to reduce a width of the front portion of the extendible platform to less than the rail spacing, and translating the extendible platform back to the retracted position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of apparatuses, systems, and processes of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of an example climbing system mounted to a multi-level building structure, with portions shown transparent for illustrative purposes;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1 , showing an extendible platform of the climbing system in a deployed configuration;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 2 , but showing the extendible platform in a retracted configuration;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view from the rear of portions of the climbing system of FIG. 1 , showing the extendible platform in an extended configuration;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view like that of FIG. 4 , but showing the extendible platform in a withdrawn configuration;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of portions of the climbing system shown in FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of portions of the climbing system shown in FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the extendible platform of the climbing system of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the extendible platform of FIG. 8 ; and

FIG. 10 is a plan view of portions of the climbing system of FIG. 1 , showing a plurality of the extendible platforms deployed side-by-side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various apparatuses, systems, or processes will be described below to provide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover apparatuses, systems, or processes that differ from those described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses, systems, or processes having all of the features of any one apparatus, system, or process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses, systems, or processes described below. It is possible that an apparatus, system, or process described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus, system, or process described below that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicants, inventors, or owners do not intend to abandon, disclaim, or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.

Climbing systems can be deployed around a perimeter of a multi-level building structure to facilitate building construction. An example climbing system includes a plurality of vertical guides (e.g. climbing shoes) mounted (e.g. anchored directly or indirectly) to the building structure and a climbing unit coupled to the vertical guides. The vertical guides receive vertical climbing rails of the climbing unit to guide vertical translation of the climbing unit along an exterior of the building structure. One or more actuators (e.g. hydraulic cylinders) can be coupled between the vertical guides and the climbing rails for urging vertical translation of the climbing unit to a desired elevation (e.g. for alignment of climbing platforms of the climbing unit with a previously constructed level or slab of the building structure). Such climbing systems can be used to, for example, carry loads such as personnel, shoring elements, and/or other equipment to facilitate construction of the multi-level building structure level-by-level, and can act to contain construction activities and/or as a weather enclosure.

For some building designs and/or construction geometries, a gap may result between the climbing unit and the building structure (e.g. between the climbing platform and existing slabs of the building structure), which in some cases may pose construction difficulties and inefficiencies and/or safety concerns. According to some aspects of the present disclosure, climbing systems are disclosed that can include integrated extendible platforms that are deployable to cover such gaps and carry loads, and which can facilitate a more space- and time-efficient, and in some cases safer, building construction process relative to some other systems (e.g. such as those requiring the labor intensive process of having workers manually install and subsequently dismantle beams and plywood across the gap for each level).

Referring to FIG. 1 , an example rail climbing system 100 for building construction is shown. In the example illustrated, the system 100 includes a plurality of vertical guides 102 mountable to a building structure 104 (only portions of which are shown in FIG. 1 ) under construction, and a climbing unit 106 exterior the building structure 104 and coupled to the vertical guides 102 for guided vertical translation of the climbing unit 106 along the exterior of the building structure 104.

In the example illustrated, the system 100 further includes an actuator system 108 (shown schematically in FIG. 1 ) connectable to the climbing unit 106 for urging vertical translation of the climbing unit 106 along the exterior of the building structure 104. The actuator system 108 can include a plurality of hydraulic cylinders coupled between the vertical guides 102 and the climbing unit 106. Each cylinder can include a cylinder end connected to a corresponding vertical guide 102 and a piston end connected to the climbing unit (e.g. through releasable engagement with a pin of a climbing rail of the climbing unit 106) for elevating the climbing unit 106 (or controlling its descent) through operation of the cylinder 110.

In the example illustrated, the vertical guides 102 comprise climbing shoes anchored to the building structure 104 (e.g. to a slab or wall of the building structure, either directly or indirectly through support members, such as, for example, temporary support beams fixed to the building structure 104). The climbing unit 106 comprises a climbing framework 112 including a plurality of vertical climbing rails 114. Each climbing rail 114 is slidably supported in a vertical slot defined by a corresponding vertical guide 102 (e.g. climbing shoe) to facilitate guided vertical translation of the climbing unit 106. A plurality of horizontal climbing platforms 140 are supported by (and extend rearward of) the climbing rails 114, and are fixed relative to the rails 114 for vertical translation therewith. In the example illustrated, the plurality of climbing platforms 140 include a top climbing platform 142 and a lower climbing platform 144 below the top climbing platform 142.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 , in the example illustrated, the climbing system 100 further includes one or more horizontal guides 116 mounted to the climbing unit 106, and an extendible platform 120 supported by the horizontal guides 116 for guided translation of the extendible platform 120 along a horizontal axis 122 extending generally perpendicular to the building structure 104. In the example illustrated the horizontal guides 116 and the extendible platform 120 are supported by (and vertically translatable with) the lower climbing platform 144.

In the example illustrated, the extendible platform 120 is translatable along the horizontal axis 122 between a retracted position (shown in FIG. 3 ) and an advanced position (shown in FIG. 2 ). Referring to FIG. 3 , when in the retracted position, the extendible platform 120 is generally retracted into the climbing unit 106 and clear of the building structure 104 to permit interference-free vertical translation of the climbing unit 106. Referring to FIG. 2 , when in the advanced position, the extendible platform 120 projects axially from the climbing unit 106 to the building structure 104 for covering a gap 124 therebetween. In the example illustrated, the gap 124 extends horizontally between the slab 104 a and the climbing platform 144.

The extendible platform 120 has a front portion 120 a positioned toward the building structure 104 and a rear portion 120 b rearward of the front portion 120 a away from the building structure 104. Referring to FIG. 3 , in the example illustrated, in the retracted position, the front and rear portions 120 a, 120 b of the extendible platform 120 are supported by the horizontal guides 116. Referring to FIG. 2 , in the advanced position, the front portion 120 a is supported by the building structure 104 (e.g. atop slab 104 a) and the rear portion 120 b is supported by the horizontal guides 116. In the example illustrated, when in the advanced position, the extendible platform 120 defines a horizontal worksurface 121 that extends between the climbing unit 106 and the building structure 104, and can be used to, for example, carry loads such as, for example, personnel, shoring elements, and/or other equipment to facilitate building construction, and to inhibit debris, materials, or other objects from falling through the gap 124. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1 , the platform 120 is shown supporting a vertical prop 123 positioned over the gap 124. The prop 123 is shown supporting formwork 128 above the platform 120 for forming a second slab 104 b for the next level of the building structure 104.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 , in the example illustrated, the one or more horizontal guides 116 define a horizontal track 132 along which the platform 120 is horizontally translatable. In the example illustrated, the extendible platform 120 includes a plurality of rollers 134 for rolling engagement with the track 132 to roll the extendible platform 120 between the retracted and advanced positions. In the example illustrated, the plurality of rollers 134 includes a pair of laterally spaced apart front rollers 136 positioned toward the building structure 104, and a pair of laterally spaced apart rear rollers 138 rearward of the front rollers 136 away from the building structure 104.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 , in the example illustrated, the track 132 comprises a pair of laterally spaced apart rails 133 extending along the horizontal axis 122 (FIG. 2 ). In the example illustrated, each rail 133 has a U-shaped channel thereatop in which corresponding rollers 134 are received for guided translation of the platform 120. In the example illustrated, one front and one rear roller 134 is in lateral alignment with one of the rails 133 for rolling engagement therewith, and the other front and rear roller 134 is in lateral alignment with the other one of the rails 133 for rolling engagement therewith. Referring to FIG. 3 , when the extendible platform 120 is in the retracted position, the front and rear rollers 136, 138 are in rolling engagement with the track 132. Referring to FIG. 2 , when the extendible platform 120 is moved toward the advanced position, the front rollers 136 are advanced off and spaced apart from the track 132 (after a leading edge of the platform 120 reaches the slab 104 a) while the rear rollers 138 remain in rolling engagement with the track 132. In the example illustrated, when the platform 120 is in the advanced position, the front rollers 136 are positioned over the gap 124.

In some examples, the plurality of rollers 134 can further include at least one pair of laterally spaced apart intermediate rollers positioned axially intermediate the front and rear rollers 136, 138. When the platform 120 is in the retracted position, the intermediate rollers can be in rolling engagement with the track 132. In some examples, when the platform 120 is in the advanced position, at least one pair of intermediate rollers can remain in rolling engagement with the track 132. In some examples, when the platform 120 is in the advanced position, at least one pair of intermediate rollers can be advanced off and spaced apart from the track 132.

Referring to FIG. 4 , in the example illustrated, each climbing platform 140 has a plurality of horizontal beams 146 and a climbing platform worksurface 148 supported by the beams 146. In the example illustrated, the horizontal guides 116 are supported by the beams 146 at an elevation below the climbing platform worksurface 148, and the worksurface 121 of the extendible platform 120 is at an elevation above the climbing platform worksurface 148.

In the example illustrated, the climbing platform worksurface 148 has slots 152 extending parallel with the horizontal axis 122 and in alignment with corresponding horizontal guides 116, and the extendible platform 120 has roller assemblies 154 (comprising the rollers 134) extending downwardly from under the extendible platform worksurface 121 and through the slots 152 for rolling engagement with the horizontal guides 116.

Referring to FIG. 7 , the vertical climbing rails 114 are spaced laterally apart by a rail spacing 156. In the example illustrated, the extendible platform 120 is laterally centered relative to the rail spacing 156, and the horizontal guides 116 are positioned laterally between the climbing rails 114 (in line with the rail spacing 156). Referring to FIG. 6 , when the extendible platform 120 is in the advanced position, at least the front portion 120 a of the platform 120 extends between and forward of the climbing rails 114. In the example illustrated, the front portion 120 a of the extendible platform 120 passes through the rail spacing 156 when the extendible platform 120 is translated between the retracted and advanced positions.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 , in the example illustrated, the front portion 120 a has a first work surface portion 161 and one or more second work surface portions 162 moveable relative to the first work surface portion 161 between a withdrawn position (FIG. 7 ) and an extended position (FIG. 6 ). Referring to

FIG. 7 , when in the withdrawn position, the front portion 120 a has a withdrawn width 164 that is less than the rail spacing 156 for permitting translation of the front portion 120 a through the rail spacing 156. Referring to FIG. 6 , when in the extended position, the front portion 120 a has an extended width 166 greater than the rail spacing 156 for increasing an effective work area of the worksurface 121 when the extendible platform 120 is in the advanced position. In the example illustrated, the first and second work surface portions 161 extend laterally over a portion of the withdrawn width 164 when the second work surface portions 162 are in the withdrawn position, and the first and second work surface portions 161, 162 together extend laterally over an entirety of the extended width 166 when the second work surface portions 162 are in the extended position.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 , in the example illustrated, the rear portion 120 b of the platform 120 has a rear width 167 (FIG. 8 ) greater than the rail spacing 156, and remains generally rearward of the climbing rails 114 when the platform 120 is in and moves between the retracted and advanced positions. The rear portion 120 b of the platform 120 has a third work surface portion 163 extending laterally over the rear width 167. In the example illustrated, when the second work surface portions 162 are in the extended position, the first, second, and third work surface portions 161, 162, 163 extend generally continuously at a common elevation and together define the worksurface 121 (FIG. 4 ) of the platform 120. In the example illustrated, the first and third work surface portions 161, 163 are fixed relative to each other, and the second work surface portions 162 are movable relative to both the first and third work surface portions 161, 163 between the extended and withdrawn positions.

Referring to FIG. 5 , in the example illustrated, when in the withdrawn position, the second work surface portions 162 are laterally withdrawn relative to the first work surface portion 161. In the example illustrated, when the second work surface positions 162 are in the withdrawn position, the first and second work surface portions 161, 162 overlap horizontally, with the second work surface portions 162 lying overtop the first work surface portions 161. Referring to FIG. 4 , when in the extended position, the second work surface portions 162 extend laterally from the first work surface portion 161, and the first and second work surface portions 161, 162 are spaced laterally apart and at a common elevation to provide a generally continuous work surface over the extended width 166 (FIG. 6 ) of the front portion 120 a of the platform 120.

Referring to FIG. 6 , in the example illustrated, when the extendible platform 120 is in the advanced position and the second work surface portions 162 are in the extended position, the platform 120 has a pair of laterally spaced apart horizontal openings 168 (see also FIG. 8 ) passing vertically through the platform 120, and each climbing rail 114 passes through a corresponding horizontal opening 168. In the example illustrated, each horizontal opening 168 is bounded by a rear edge of the second work surface portions 162 and a front edge of the rear portion 120 b of the platform 120.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 , in the example illustrated, the second work surface portions 162 are pivotably attached to the extendible platform 120 for pivoting relative to the first work surface portion 161 between the withdrawn and extended positions. In the example illustrated, the second work surface portions 162 comprise a pair of laterally spaced apart panels 170 pivotably attached on laterally opposite sides of first work surface portion 161. The panels 170 are pivotable relative to the first work surface portion 161 about corresponding pivot axes 172 extending parallel with the horizontal axis 122 for movement between the withdrawn and extended positions. When in the withdrawn position, the panels 170 are inboard of the climbing rails 114. When in the extended position, the panels 170 extend laterally outward from the first work surface portion 161 in front of and laterally outboard of the climbing rails 114. In the example illustrated, the platform 120 includes a support members 167 (e.g. blocking) attached to an underside of each panel 170 for supporting the panels 170 atop the slab 104 a at a common elevation with the first work surface portion 161 (when the platform 120 is in the advanced position with the panels 170 in the extended position), and to facilitate load transfer from the panels 170 to the slab 104 a.

Referring to FIG. 6 , in the example illustrated, when the extendible platform 120 is in the advanced position and the second work surface portions 162 are in the extended position, the panels 170 are translatable along corresponding pivot axes 172 relative to the first work surface portion 161 between a rearward position (shown in FIG. 6 in solid lines) and a forward position (shown in FIG. 6 in dashed lines). When in the forward position, the panels 170 are clear of the climbing rails 114 to permit interference-free movement of the panels 170 between the withdrawn and extended positions.

When in the rearward position, laterally outer portions 170 a of the panels 170 extend along laterally outboard sides of the climbing rails 114 toward the rear portion 120 b to provide a work surface generally surrounding the climbing rails 114 (and horizontal openings 168). Referring to FIG. 8 , in the example illustrated, each panel 170 is pivotably coupled to the first work surface portion 161 through at least one hinge 174. Each hinge 174 has a hinge first portion 176 fixed relative to the first work surface 161 and a hinge second portion 178 fixed relative to a corresponding panel 170 (second work surface portion 162). In the example illustrated, the hinge second portion 178 is pivotable about and translatable along a corresponding pivot axis 172 relative to the hinge first position 176 to facilitate pivoting (between the extended and withdrawn positions) and translation (between the forward and rearward positions) of the panels 170 (second work surface portions 162).

Referring to FIG. 9 , in the example illustrated, at least one locking mechanism 180 is provided for releasably locking the extendible platform 120 relative to the horizontal guides 116 in either or both of the advanced position and the retracted position, to selectively inhibit translation of the platform 120 along the guides 116 when in a selected position. In the example illustrated, the climbing system 100 includes a locking mechanism 180 for each horizontal guide 116. In the example illustrated, each locking mechanism 180 includes a locking pin 182 insertable through a corresponding platform aperture fixed relative to platform 120 and a corresponding stop aperture fixed relative to one of the horizontal guides 116. In the example illustrated, each locking mechanism 180 includes a locking arm 188 at a rear of the platform 120 and extending downwardly to a distal end positioned over a corresponding guide 116. The platform aperture passes through the distal end of the arm 188. When the platform 120 is in the advanced position, each platform aperture is in alignment with a corresponding first stop aperture for inserting the locking pin 182 through the platform aperture and the first stop aperture to lock the platform 120 in the advanced position. When the platform 120 is in the retracted position, each platform aperture is in alignment with a corresponding second stop aperture for inserting the locking pin 182 through the platform aperture and the second stop aperture to lock the platform in the retracted position.

Referring to FIG. 10 , in the example illustrated, the climbing system 100 includes a plurality of the climbing units 106 arranged side-by-side along a side of the building structure 104, with each climbing unit 106 having a corresponding extendible platform 120. When the platforms 120 are in the advanced positions with the second work surface portions in the extended position, the extendible platforms 120 are laterally adjacent to each other and cooperate to provide work surface coverage over a lateral extent of the system 100.

Referring to FIG. 1 , in use, the climbing unit 106 is translated vertically (e.g. through operation of actuator system 108) along an exterior of the building structure 104 to move the extendible platform 120 into vertical alignment with the first slab 104 a of the building structure 104. After the platform 120 is in vertical alignment, the platform 120 is translated horizontally along the horizontal guides 116 from the retracted position to the advanced position to cover the gap 124.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 , in the example illustrated, during horizontal translation of the platform 120 to the advanced position, the front portion 120 a of the extendible platform 120 is translated through the lateral rail spacing 156 (with the panels 170 withdrawn). When the extendible platform 120 is in the advanced position, the panels 170 are extended laterally outwardly in front of the climbing rails 114 to increase the effective work area of the extendible platform 120. In the example illustrated, after the panels 170 are extended, the panels 170 are translated rearwardly toward the climbing rails 114 (to the rearward position) to position the laterally outer portions 170 a of the panels 170 along the laterally outboard sides of the climbing rails 114 and generally surround the rails 114.

Referring to FIG. 1 , in the example illustrated, when the extendible platform 120 is deployed (i.e. in the advanced position with the panels extended and in the rearward position), workers and/or shoring elements (e.g. prop 123) can be supported atop the platform 120 to facilitate building construction (e.g. of the second slab 104 b above the first slab 104 a).

After such use on a first level of the building structure 104, the platform 120 is moved back into the climbing unit 106 for transport to and deployment on a second level above the first level. In the example illustrated, moving the platform 120 back to the climbing unit 106 includes translating the panels 170 back to the forward position and withdrawing the panels 170 (back to the withdrawn position) to reduce the width of the front portion 120 a of the extendible platform 120 to less than the rail spacing 156, and then horizontally translating the extendible platform 120 back to the retracted position. After the platform 120 is moved back into the climbing unit 106, the climbing unit 106 is translated vertically (e.g. through operation of the actuator system 108) along the exterior of the building structure 104 to move the extendible platform 120 into vertical alignment with the next level (e.g. with the second slab 104 b when completed, or with a different slab or level) of the building structure 104 to continue construction of the building structure 104 level-by-level. 

1. A climbing system for multi-level building construction, comprising: a) a plurality of vertical guides mountable to a multi-level building structure under construction; b) a climbing unit coupled to the vertical guides for guided vertical translation of the climbing unit along an exterior of the building structure; c) one or more horizontal guides mounted to the climbing unit; and d) an extendible platform supported by the horizontal guides for guided translation of the extendible platform along a horizontal axis extending generally perpendicular to the building structure, the extendible platform translatable along the horizontal axis between a retracted position, in which the extendible platform is generally retracted into the climbing unit and clear of the building structure to permit interference-free vertical translation of the climbing unit, and an advanced position, in which the extendible platform projects horizontally from the climbing unit to the building structure for covering a gap therebetween.
 2. The climbing system of claim 1, wherein the one or more horizontal guides define a horizontal track and the extendible platform includes a plurality of rollers for rolling engagement with the track to roll the extendible platform between the retracted and advanced positions.
 3. (canceled)
 4. The climbing system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of rollers includes a pair of front rollers positioned toward the building structure and a pair of rear rollers spaced apart from the front rollers away from the building structure, and wherein when the extendible platform is in the retracted position, the front and rear rollers are in rolling engagement with the track, and when the extendible platform is in the advanced position, the front rollers are advanced off the track while the rear rollers remain in rolling engagement with the track.
 5. (canceled)
 6. The climbing system of claim 1, wherein the climbing unit includes a pair of vertical climbing rails coupled to the vertical guides for guiding vertical translation, the climbing rails spaced laterally apart by a rail spacing, and wherein at least a front portion of the extendible platform passes through the rail spacing when the extendible platform is translated between the retracted and advanced positions.
 7. The climbing system of claim 6, wherein the front portion has a first work surface portion and one or more second work surface portions moveable relative to the first work surface portion between a withdrawn position, in which the front portion has a withdrawn width that is less than the rail spacing for permitting translation of the front portion through the rail spacing, and an extended position, in which the front portion has an extended width greater than the rail spacing for increasing an effective work area of the extendible platform in the advanced position.
 8. (canceled)
 9. (canceled)
 10. The climbing system of claim 7, wherein the one or more second work surface portions are pivotably attached to the extendible platform for pivoting relative to the first work surface portion between the withdrawn and extended positions.
 11. The climbing system of claim 7, wherein the extendible platform has a rear portion rearward of the front portion, the rear portion having a rear portion width greater than the rail spacing, and wherein when the extendible platform is in the advanced position, the front portion extends between and forward of the climbing rails and the rear portion remains generally rearward of the climbing rails.
 12. (canceled)
 13. (canceled)
 14. The climbing system of claim 11, wherein the one or more second work surface portions comprise a pair of laterally spaced apart panels pivotably attached on laterally opposite sides of the first work surface portion, the panels pivotable relative to the first working surface portion about corresponding pivot axes extending parallel with the horizontal axis for movement between the withdrawn and extended positions, and wherein when in the withdrawn position, the panels are inboard of the climbing rails, and when in the extended position, the panels extend laterally outward from the first work surface and in front of the climbing rails.
 15. (canceled)
 16. The climbing system of claim 14, wherein when the extendible platform is in the advanced position and the second work surface portions are in the extended position, the panels are translatable along corresponding pivot axes relative to the first work surface portion between a forward position, in which the panels are clear of the climbing rails for movement between the withdrawn and extended positions, and a rearward position in which laterally outer portions of the panels extend along laterally outboard sides of the climbing rails toward the rear portion to provide a work surface generally surrounding the climbing rails.
 17. (canceled)
 18. The climbing system of claim 1, wherein the climbing unit comprises a plurality of climbing rails coupled to the vertical guides, and at least one climbing platform supported by the climbing rails, and wherein the horizontal guides and the extendible platform are supported by climbing platform.
 19. The climbing system of claim 18, wherein the climbing platform has a plurality of horizontal beams and a climbing unit worksurface supported by the beams, and wherein the horizontal guides are supported by the beams at an elevation below the climbing unit worksurface and the extendible platform has an extendible platform worksurface at an elevation above the climbing unit worksurface, and wherein the climbing unit worksurface has one or more horizontal slots extending along the horizontal axis in alignment with corresponding horizontal guides, and the extendible platform has roller assemblies extending downwardly from under the extendible platform worksurface and through the slots for rolling engagement with the horizontal guides.
 20. (canceled)
 21. The climbing system of claim 1, wherein the climbing unit comprises a plurality of climbing rails coupled to the vertical guides and a plurality of climbing platforms supported by the climbing rails, the plurality of climbing platforms including a top climbing platform and at least one lower climbing platform below the top climbing platform, and wherein the horizontal guides and the extendible platform are supported by the lower climbing platform.
 22. The climbing system of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism operable to releasably lock the extendible platform relative to the horizontal guides in the advanced position and in the retracted position.
 23. A climbing system for multi-level building construction, comprising: a) a plurality of vertical guides mountable to a multi-level building structure under construction; b) a climbing unit connectable to the vertical guides for guided vertical translation of the climbing unit; c) one or more horizontal guides mountable to the climbing unit; and d) an extendible platform horizontally translatable along the horizontal guides between a retracted position, in which the extendible platform is generally retracted into the climbing unit for being clear of the building structure, and an advanced position in which the extendible platform projects horizontally from the climbing unit for extension to the building structure.
 24. A method of operating a climbing system mounted to a multi-level building structure under construction, comprising: vertically translating a climbing unit of the climbing system along an exterior of the building structure to move an extendible platform supported by the climbing unit into vertical alignment with a first slab of the building structure; and after (a), horizontally translating the extendible platform along horizontal guides supported by the climbing unit from a retracted position, in which the extendible platform is clear of the building structure, to an advanced position, in which the platform extends from the climbing unit to the first slab for covering a gap therebetween.
 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising, after (b), supporting shoring elements atop the extendible platform in the advanced position.
 26. The method of claim 24, further comprising: horizontally translating the extendible platform along the horizontal guides back to the retracted position and repeating steps (a) and (b) for a second slab at an elevation above the first slab.
 27. The method of claim 24, wherein during (b), at least a front portion of the extendible platform is translated through a lateral rail spacing between a pair of laterally spaced apart vertical climbing rails of the climbing unit, the climbing rails coupled to corresponding vertical guides mounted to the building structure for guiding vertical translation of the climbing unit.
 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising: when the extendible platform is in the advanced position, extending a pair of movable panels of the extendible platform laterally outwardly in front of the climbing rails to increase an effective work area of the extendible platform.
 29. The method of claim 28, further comprising, after the panels are extended, translating the panels in a rearward direction toward the climbing rails to position laterally outer portions of the panels along laterally outboard sides of the climbing rails; and after translating the panels in the rearward direction, translating the panels in a forward direction clear of the climbing rails, withdrawing the panels to reduce a width of the front portion of the extendible platform to less than the rail spacing, and translating the extendible platform back to the retracted position.
 30. (canceled) 